Pneumatic feeding device for printing presses, check cancelers, and the like



oct. 21, 1941. wALLER 2,259,672,

I PNEUMATIC FEEDING DEVICE FOR PRINTING PRESSES,

CHECK CANCELERS, AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 12, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 21,1941. J .A, WALLER 2,259,672

PNEUMATIC FEEDING DEVICE FOR PRINTING PRESSES, 1 CHECK CANCELERS, AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 12, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 umon LEAGUECO. /86

218i OLIVE AVE. uSRg. efa fir bgur.

JohrzAJa/allev;

INVENTOR ATTORNEY J A. WALLER 2,259,672

PNEUMATIC FEEDING DEVICE FOR PRINTING PRESSES CHECK CANCELERS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 12, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I is 2! John A. Mlle]:

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 21, 1941 insane PNE Ma'rroFaE-nnvG DEVICE Foarnmr- ING PRESSES, CHECK .CANCELERS, ,AND

THE LIKE John A. Waller, Beverly Hills; Calif., assignor.,t0 Charles P.-Mee, Los Angeles, Calif.

ApplicationNovember 12, 1M0, Serial No, 365, 95

14 Claims. (Cl; 271-29) This invention pertains broadly to 'the art of handling materials in sheet form which are to be conducted to a printing device,--perforating-machine, or the like, and pertains particularly to a drum type feeding device provided with a'selfcontained suction-producing member adapted to select a terminalsheet from a-plurality of sheets arranged in apile, stack, or the like, and deliver the same to any desired subsequent operation.

"I'he principal object of; the invention is toprovide afeeding device of the character described,

which will operatively' engage, a terminal sheet and extract it from a pile or stack of alined sheets andcarry it away from such stack into position to be operated upon by a printing device, cancelling device, perforating device, or the like;

Aparticular object of the device is to provide a rotary. feeding member carrying av self-contained suction-producing means adapted to operate on but .one sheet at a time so as to. abstractsuch sheet from theremainder of thesheets without disturbance of such remainder.

A further object of the invention is to :pro-

-vide a feeding device which is cylindrical in form and carries 'an axiallymovable piston member internally disposed in position to produce momentary decreases in pressure within theinterior of -such device in response to a rotary movement thereof.

A further'object .of theinvention is topro-- vide a feeding device which will engage an exposedsheet forming a part of a pile or stack of similar sheets, and move such engaged sheet away from its normalposition in a longitudinal direction while preserving the remaining sheets of such pile or stack against such longitudinal movement. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide a check cancelling device having a rotary feeding device of the character described, in. which 00- operating timing mechanisms are, prov d momentarily halting. the. longitudinalmovement of a-sheet withdrawn from a pile of .sheets and subjecting such withdrawn-sheet, to a cancelling or perforating operation without interrupting or interfering with the normal functions of the unit as a whole.

A further object of the inventicnjs-toprovide a cancelling device useful in connection with such a rotary feeding. mechanism, in which removable perforating elements are provided whereby a selective perforation oig'marking ,of such sheets I may be secured.

A further. object of the,- invention; is to provide a printing device. having a cylindrical feeding member of the character described. h

'I'hefeeding device vof the presentinvention may comprise, essentia1ly,,a cylindrical member adapted for. rotationjabout,.an agris extending transversely to the. direction ,of travel desired to be imparted to the sheets on which the device operates, such-cylindricalfeeding member being provided with an axially reciprocable piston member constrained to rotate with, and disposed iinteriorly thereon andmovable. in an, axiaLdirection in responsetorota'ry, movement of the feeding member in a timed relationship thereto, to-

gether with suitablesuctionports located in,the

periphery 'of the: feeding member in position to .-provide fluidcommun-icationjrom the interior of such feeding. device to the exterior thereof in.the

, immediate vicinity .of a sheet, onwhich an operation is to be performed, lvherebyv upon rotation of-suchrotary feeding device in closeproximity .toan exposedterminalsheetof astack, or pile of similar sheets, the,condition of reduced. pressure produced withinthe. rotary feeding device. will .be produced when such suction ports, are in closely spaced relation to such sheetwhich is tobeoperated-upon so that upon. the establishment ofsuch conditi-on of .reduced; pressure, atmospheric pressurewill force .suchsheet into intimate .engage- ;ment with the cylindrical feeding member-Which will impart. movement to r such sheet along the -periphery-of .such..f eeding member. ,Suitable means arewprovided :forengaging .such. sheet ;promptly.--after itis brought into contact with the rotary. feeding member whereby. its further movement q is secured by frictional engagement therewith. Suitable meansare preferably providedin association withthe-feeding drurnmechanism for reception o-fthe sheet which is abstractedfrom such pile or "stack andt-ha guiding of such -sheetinto a position to -.be operated upon v by an-auxiliary portion of the construction,.such

as; a printing device; a check cancelling member,

perforating device; check endorsing member, or 1 the-like. Means are preferably provided whereby-the longitudinal movement of the abstracted sheet is --momentari1y' interrupted Without interruption in'the-rotary movement of :the feeding 1device, sothat a subsequent operation requiring that the feed beheld in immobilestate can be carried out on'the sheet ina timed-relation to the rotation of vthefeeding device, andsuchshect Y subsequently given a-further longitudinal move- I ment ,;fo 11owing the completion. of such. opera- .tion.

The above and further objects ,of the invention will be brought out more particularly in connection with the following specific description of certain embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and referring thereto:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a combined check-cancelling and check-endorsing device according to this invention;

Fig. 2 is a partly broken-away side elevation thereof;

Figs. 3 and 4 are partly broken-away longitudinal sections taken on lines 33 and 4-4 respectively in Fig. 1, illustrating two steps in the operation of the device for successive perforation (cancellation) and printed endorsement of a check or similar item;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the upper edge portion of the feeding cylinder element of the device taken along the same line as Fig. 3, illustrating the operation thereof in picking off the a lowermost of a stack of superimposed sheets of paper, such as a stack of checks;

Fig. 5a is a partly broken-away sectional view taken on line 5a5a in Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a partly broken-away side elevation of the device, from the side opposite that of Fig.

Fig. '7 is a broken-away horizontal section taken on line 1-1 inFig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a partly broken-away end view of the device, taken from the feeding end;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken on line 9-9 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 illustrates the appearance of a cancelled and endorsed check which has been operated upon by the device shown in Figs. 1-9; and

Figs. 11 and 12 are side and feed end views, respectively, of a modified form of the invention useful as a printing machine.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1-9, the device may comprise rightand left-hand side frame members and 2 supported in spaced relation through the agency of spacer bars 3. A rotary feeding drum is provided as at 4 supported on a shaft 5 carried by bearings 6 disposed on the side members and 2, a suitable hand wheel I being provided whereby rotary movement of said drum may be effected. The drum member 4 is provided with a closed end or wall 8 at its righthand end and is closed at its left-hand end through the agency of a movable piston member 9 provided with a hub supporting said piston member for slidable axial movement on the shaft 5, said piston member being constrained to rotate with the drum member as through a key I la,

and being biased outwardly or to the left-hand side of the device through the agency of a suitable spring member 2. The desired inward axial movement of the piston 9 is conveniently secured through the agency of a semi-circular cam |3 mounted on the outer end of the piston 9 and positioned to engage a roller |4 pivotally secured on bearing means l5 to the left-hand side frame member 2. Suitable openings are provided in the periphery of the drum 4 as at |6, which are hereinafter referred to as suction ports. The location of these suction ports in relation to the position of the cam I3 is, in this embodiment, preferably such that such ports will be disposed substantially vertically above the axis of rotation defined by the shaft 5 when the high end of cam 3 reaches the position of the roller l4, so that when the outward axial movement of the piston 9 isinitiated by the cam |3 falling off the roller M, the ports I6 will be located in position to operate upon the lowermost or terminal check of a stack H of checks I8, as shown particularly in Fig. 5.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that as the suction ports l6 reach the position indicated in Fig. 5, and release of the piston 9 is obtained by virtue of the cam l3 abruptly dropping off the roller M, as above described, the spring |2 will force the piston outwardly and cause a condition of reduced pressure to exist within the drum 4. The degree of pressure reduction obtained within the drum 4 will be dependent upon the ratio of the volumes of the cylinder defined by the drum 4 and piston 9 at the inner and outer positions of such piston, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. This condition causes an inrush of atmospheric air through the ports l6, and this inrush will serve to force the adjacent terminal check or sheet |8a from the stack downwardly into firm engagement with the drum 4, after the manner indicated in dot-dash lines in Fig. 5. An abutment member 2| is provided to position the forward ends or edges of the checks in the stack ll, said abutment member being preferably tapered downwardly and forwardly so that the central portion thereof with respect to the width of the device is brought into close spacing with the periphery of the drum 4, as at 22. As shown in Fig. 5a, the central portion of the abutment member is preferably caused to project down- Wardly as at 22', and the adjacent peripheral portion of the drum 4 is relieved slightly as by a groove 38', which encourages the delivered check or sheet |3a (Fig. 5) to momentarily bow upwardly at its edge portions as the forward edge passes under the member 2|, which serves to disengage said check from a superjacent check or sheet so that but a single check or sheet would be drawn through by the drum 4. After the check |8a is drawn past the member 2|, and as the further rotation of the drum member 4 is effected in a clockwise direction as shown in these specific figures the check |8a is carried forward- 1y (Fig. 3) into engagement between the periphery of the drum 4 and a compression member such as a rubber-tired roller 23 mounted for rotation on a suitable shaft 24 extending transversely of the device. Two such rollers are preferably provided, as shown particularly in Figs. 1, 8, and 9, and these rollers are adapted to cause the check |8a to continue its movement in response to rotation of the drum member 4, by frictional engagement therewith, irrespective of the loss of suction at the ports l6 after the piston 9 reaches the end of its stroke.

In this form of the invention a cancelling or perforating device is provided in position to re- 1 ceive the check picked up by the rum 4 and carried into position for engagement between said drum and the rollers 23. This perforating device is shown generally at 26. The perforating device may compromise two transversely spaced drive rods 21 which are vertically reciprocable in response to operating means hereinafter described, said drive rods carrying at their upper ends a pressure plate 28 adapted to receive a plurality of removable reference characters 29 and 29 provided with downwardly directed perforating pins 290, adapted to establish the desired perforated character on the check or other sheet which is fed to the device (see Fig. 10). The perforating device further comprises a striking plate 3| provided with perforations 32 corresponding in position to the perforating pins 29a,

said striking plate being supported-on a framemember 33 suitably secured to' the side frame. members I and 2 above described. The striking plate 3l-maybe carriedforward as at 3-4; and may beprovided with anupper enclosing surface member 35: cooperating Ltherewithto define an entrance chute 35 for reception of the check to be operated upon, and stripper-fingers 3.1 may be provided at the forward portion of the projection 34 at a position 'closiely adjacent the. periphery of the drum '4 to further the proper guiding of the check I8a' into position to be operated upon by the perforating device. The stripper points or fingers .31 are preferablyextended within recessed grooves 38 (as well as within the groove 38' hereinbeiore mentioned.) provided inthe periphery of the drum4 as indicated in dotted'lines in. Fig.3 and infullj elevation in Figs. 1 and 8.

The operation of the perforating means- 26 is so timedwith respect to the rotation of the drum member 4- that the check IBa-is carried into some such position as indicated infull lines in Fig. 4, the perforating means being shown in Fig; 4 as being in operation, just ready to strike the check lBa. It is essential that the forward driving action of the drum member 4 be interrupted when the check lBa is to be operated uponbythe perforating means, in this specific form of device, and in order to secure this interruption of operation without stopping the rotation of the drum 4 I may relieve the peripheral surface of the drum as at 4|, at the position of normal engagementof the rollers 33 with suchdrum. This relieved section 41- isshown particularly; in. Fig. 4, and as a result-t'hereof' the-drum-member 4 no. longer has-a: driving engagement with the check [8a and-= such check will: remain in position during the operationof w the perforating member. 26. The relieved portion 4| of :the drummember 4. is of such angular lengthastoagain cause-engagement of the check i8abetweenthe drum periph ery and: the rollers 23 when the-operatiorrof-the perforating machine hasbeen completed and the. perforating 1 pins 29a -thereof withdrawn from the: check.= When the rearward end 41-0, of-the recessed portion 4t--is brought -into alinement with the positionof the rollers 23, therefore, the check is engaged and moved gforwardly .-again, and in this embodiment of the invention iscarried in-to position to be operated upon by-a printing device or endorser which is arranged to receive and operate" uponthe-check after the cancelling. operation. a

The. printing or endorsing-deviceis indicated generally bythereference 7 character 42 and-may comprise a back-up drum =43 mounted for rotation on a shaft 44- suitably-secured to the-side frame members i and 2 of the device, said backup drum being provided with a flat printing surface '45-againstwhich the printing: operation may be performed; The printing member: maytcomprisea printing .roll 46 rotatably mounted on shaft 41.- am} carrying a rubb'erprinti-ng type member 48' adapted to be brought- :i-ntoengagement with the -surface. 45 upon relative rotation of the drum 43 andmember.4fipthe-gear ratio which. isestablished between the drum 4.3"an'dthe memberAfi being such asto give equivalent peripheral speed to the two elements. Roller .mem here: 49' corresponding tothe compression. rollers '23 above describedar-e providedinposition to engage-the periphery 5.0. of the-drum 43 in a manner comparable to theengagement of the rollers23 with the periphery of the drum 4.. The periphery 50- of .thedrum 43' is lprovided with 'relie'ved sections -52, corresponding incfunction and position to-the relieved.- sections 4| of the drum 4,. which is of sufficient-angular length so that the end thereofindicated at- 52a will be brought into engagement-with the correspondingly positioned roller 49 when the operation of the'perforating device is completed. An inking. roller 53 is provided in position to be engaged by the type 48 upon rotation of the member 46, said roller being pivotally mounted on a transversely extending shaft 54.

The driving coordination between the drums 4, 43,'prin,ting member 45,-'etc., is secured through the agency of a gear train indicated more particularly in Fig. 2. This gear train may comprise a drive gearifi'secured to and rotatable with the drum 4, engaging a pinion or idler 51 mounted on a suitable stub shaft 51', and engaging a gear 58 securedtoandrotatable with the drum 43. The printing-member 46 is driven through the agency of a gear 59 meshing with the gear 58-.

Referring particularly to Figs. 6 and '7, the driving structure for causing operation of the perforating member 26 is illustrated as-cornprising a depressing cam arm 6| adapted to be engaged by a roller 62 which is pivotally mounted on'a stub shaft63 secured to the end wall of the drummember 43, and adapted when so engaged toforce the driving rods 21 of the perforating means downwardly. In order to return the perforating means-upwardly to the starting position;

I provide-a return cam arm 64 adapted to be engaged by the roller 62 when said roller has passed out ofengagement with the cam arm BI, and to movesaid arm 64 upwardly to lift the driving rods 21. The showing of this structure in Figs. 6

the device into a position at which access can be and trepresents the position of the drivingrods with the perforating means 26- in the operating position shown particularly in Fig. 4, with the roller 62 positioned just ready to pass out of engagement with the arm BI and to engage the arm 64. Upon further rotation of the drum member 43, the arm 64 will' be moved to the position shown in dot-dash lines at 64a, at which time the roller 62 will be in the position indicated L in-dot-dash lines at 62a. This causes the driving rods to-be moved upwardly to the starting position, which carries the cam arm 6| into the dot-dash position indicated at Bla in position to be engaged by the roller 62 when it-again approaches the position indicated in full lines.

It will be appreciated that it may be desirable to cause the cancelling device to remain inoperative, so that the construction may be used purely for endorsement through operation of the printing member 46-. In order to disengage the perforating means 26 from operative association with the remainder of the construction, I may provide a guide dog 65 slidably mounted on the shaft on which the drum member 43 is disposed, said "dog 65 being adapted for axial movement on the shaft 44 and being provided with a medial groove adapted to engage an annular shoulder 61 on the operating roller 62, whereby said roller 62 may be'moved 5mm along the stub shaft 63 into or out of operative engagement position with the cam arms SI and 64. A

suitable operating handle member for the dog 65 is provided such as an operating pin or shaft 68 provided with. a thumb knob 53, the pin 68 being carried outwardly through the side wall 2 of had by the operator.

In like manner it may be desirable to interrupt the operation of the endorsement portion of the construction, whereby the device may be used simply for the cancellation of checks or thelike by operation of the perforation member 28, and for this purpose I may-mount the printing roll member 46 on a hub II which is rotatably disposed on the shaft 41, said hub member 'II' being provided at its right-hand end with a dog I2 adapted to mate with a dog I3 formed in the hub portion 59a of the gear 59. At the other end of the hub II I may provide a dog I4 adapted to-mate with a fixed dog I5 secured to the frame member 2, the dogs I4 and I5 being adapted to mate upon axial movement of the hub member 'II so that when the dogs I2, I3 are disengaged the dogs 14, I5 become engaged and further rotation of the printing roll member 46 is stopped. Any suitable operating means may be provided for obtaining the desired axial movement of the printing roll 46,-such as an annular recess I6 in the hub member 'II adjacent one end thereof, adapted" to be engaged by a finger or yokev I! carried by a shaft or pin I8 slidably mounted in the frame member 2 and projecting outwardly therefrom and terminating in an operating knob I9.

The device of the present invention has been found to operate at a very high speed without causing more than one check or sheet to be withdrawn from the bottom of the pile I I and passed through the perforation or endorsing section of the construction. The rapid movement of the piston 9 when the cam I3 falls on" the roller 4 serves to produce a rapid change in pressure within the interior of the drum 4, causing the prompt application of atmospheric pressure adjacent the suction ports I6, drawing the adjacent check I8a into engagement with the periphery of the operating drum 4. The inward movement of the leading edge of the check I8a, represented in Fig. 5, is practically instantaneous, and is effected before any significant longitudinal travel is imparted to the check. This insures that the' leading edge of th check is so closely adjacent the position at which it will pass under the lower portion 22' of the abutment member 2I before its forward movement is more than initiated, wherefore the drag upon the next succeeding check in the stack U will not be imposed while there is a strong inward draft about the ports I6, and for this reason there is little tendency to dislodge the next succeeding check from its position in abutment with the member 2|. It has been found that the device operates quite satisfactorily even though the checks which are fed to the device are wrinkled and even torn to some extent, and the utilization of an axially reciprocable suction-producing piston member as above described, serves to permit the device to be kept in static and dynamic balance at substantially any desired speed of rotation. This construction is therefore in marked distinction to prior suggested devices which have incorporated radially reciprocable pump members within a feeding drum.

It will be appreciated that any desired type of table and guide means may be provided to receive the stack ll of checks or the like, such as indicated at 82 and 83. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that while the construction has been illustrated as disposed in an upright position, with the stack of checks I'I arranged for gravity feeding against the periphery of the drum member 4, the device may be disposed on its side or even in an inverted relation, suitable spring biasing means being provided, as will be apparent to one skilled in mechanical arts, to keep the stack of checks or other sheets biased lightly toward engagement with the periphery of the feeding drum 4,

In Fig. 10 I have illustrated the appearance of a cancelled and endorsed check as perforated and printed according to the present device. The check is designated by the reference numeral I8, the perforations being indicated at showing the words and characters Paid and 12 4 35, and the imprinting'produced by the type member 48 being indicated at 86. The perforation characters indicated at 29 in Figs. 6, 3, and 4, providing the word Paid in the example illustrated in Fig. 10 may be formed as a single unit which may be withdrawn from the plate 28 and another unit spelling out the word Cancelled or the like may be substituted therefor, it being appreciated that the openings in the plate 28 will be provided in rectilinear fashion to accommodate the insertion of any desired combination of pins 29a. The characters 29' indicated in Figs. 3, 4, and 9 may be independent characters ach representing a single numeral, and may be securely positioned against the plate 28 through the agency of a clamping bar 81 held in position through the agency of thumb screws 88. It will further be appreciated that a suitable cover member may be provided over the perforating and printing section of the device as at 89, and that side covers 9I may equivalently be provided, fitting into the side frame members I and 2, in order to enclose the device. 3

In Figs. 11 and 12 I have illustrated the application of my'feeding device to a printing press, such as might be used by restaurants and the like in the printing of menus or in any instance where an inexpensive device would be particularly desirable, and referring thereto I have shown rightand left-hand frame members at IOI and I02, maintained in spaced relation through the agency of spacer bars I03, and carrying a feeding drum I04 mounted for rotation on the frame members through a shaft I05 journaled as at I06 in the side frame members. An

operating handle I 01 is provided for rotation of the drum, and the drum carries a piston member I09 interiorly thereof, said piston member I09 being provided with a hub I II slidably disposed on the shaft I05, and a biasing spring II2 being provided to bias said piston member outwardly. As in the prior device, an operating cam H3 is provided, in engagement with a roller'member II4 suitably mounted on the side frame member I 02, said cam beingfadapted to cooperate with the roller II4 to secure axial reciprocation of the piston member upon rotation of the drum I04 through the agency of the handle I01.

The drum I04 is provided with suction ports II6 as in the priordevice, together with an abutment member I2I having its lower end I22 closely spaced from the periphery of the drum I04. One or more compression rollers may be provided as at I23. The drum I04 will function in a manner comparable to that above described in connection with the first form of the invention and will pick up the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets such as indicated at I I1, said pile of sheets being placed upon a table member I20 and said table member being disposed substantially horizontally and at a level such as to bring the lowermost sheet in peripheral contact with the drum I04. A drive gear I56 is provided on the shaft I05 which is adapted for rotation with the drum I04, and this gearv serves to drive the printing portion of the device through the agency of an idlergear I51 mounted on the stub shaft I 51' and a gear I58 which is secured to a back-up roll I59. The printing roll is disposed above the back-up roll as at I60, said printing roll being adapted to carry movable type members such as indicated at l6] and being driven from the gear I58 through a gear I62. A suitable inking roller for the type drum I60 is provided as at I63. A suitable cover may be provided over the inking roll and the roll 169, as at I64.

It will be appreciated that the spacing between the periphery of the cylindrical feeding member and the adjacent edge of the abutment member, as between the edges 22 and periphery of the drum as well as between the projection 22 and the bottom of the groove 38', will be such as to allow a sheet to pass under the abutment member. Usually, this spacing will be just slightly greater than the thickness of the thick est sheet which the device is called upcnto feed, and the device will operate on sheets of varied thickness up to that maximum. For example, when the abutment member is adjusted to pass 24 lb. bond paper, the machine will still feed sheets of 9 lb. onion skin paper without difiiculty.

Various modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art, and I do not choose to be limited to the precise details herein delineated and described but rather to the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with guide means adapted to receive in stacked relation a plurality of sheets on which a feeding operation is to be performed, said guide means being adapted to receive such stacked plurality of sheets in such relation that a terminal sheet'of such stacked plurality is exposed over a portion of its area, a pneumatic feeding device which comprises: frame means; a cylindrical drum member mounted for rotation on said frame means in close peripheral proximity to such terminal sheet at such exposed area; an axially reciprocable piston member constrained to rotate with and slidably mounted within said drum member and defining therewith a suction chamber; means defining a fluid passage communicating with said suction chamber and opening through the periphery of said drum member at one circumferential position; and means for effecting axial reciprocation of said piston member to produce a suction stroke upon rotation of said drum member through a portion of a revolution thereof in one direction, said means including cooperating cam means'onsaid piston member and said frame means, the angular relation of said cam means with respect to each other and to said one circumferential position being such as to cause the peripheral opening of said fiuid passage to be located at least closely adjacent said exposed portion of said terminalsheet when said suction stroke is initiated,

'2. The construction set forth in claim 1, and comprising inaddition an abutment member secured to said frame means and positioned to engage the ends of the sheets of such stacked plurality at one end thereof, said abutment member being spaced from said point of contact forwardly in the direction of rotation of said drum member and having a portion closely spaced from the periphery of such drum member.

3. In combination with guide'means adapted to receive in stacked relation a plurality of sheets o'rl which a feeding operation is to be performed,

said guide means being adapted to receive such stacked plurality of sheetsiri such relation that a terminal sheet of such stacked plurality is ex posed over a portionof its area, a pneumatic feeding devicewhich comprises: frame means; a cylindrical drum member rhoimted for rotation ofi said fr'anie means, said drum member being' 'provided with a peripheral pertion positioned n Contact with suc terminal sheet at sueh exposed area; an axially reciprecable piston member slidably mounted within said drum member and defining therewith a suction chamberj means for eifecting axial reciprocation of said pistdn' member to produce a suction stroke upen rotatienof said drum member in one direction, said -means including cooperating cam means on said piston member and said frame means; means defining a fluid passage communicating with said suction chamber and extend ing through said penchant portion of said drum member, the position of said fluid passage being angularly so related to said cooperating cam means as to be located at leastclosely adjacent the point of contact between said drum member and theexposed area of said terminal'shet when said suction stroke is initiated, whereby upon rotation of said drum member suctionwill be ap-' pliedto said terminal sheet at such exposed area and a forward motion in the'direction of rotation ofsaid drum member will be imparted to said terminal sheet; and a compression member positioned forwardly of such peintof contact in the direction-pfmovement imparted tosaid terminal sheet and having a porticn positioned to frictionally enga e the periphery ofsaid drum member and adapted to engage said terminal sheet in its forward movementto force said sheet into frictional engagement with said drum member.

4. The constructien set forth in claim 3 and.

comprising in addition an abutment member located between said point ofcontact and said cempression member in the direction of travel of said terminal sheet, said abutment member being adapted to engage said staekedplurality of sheets at the forward ends' thereof and having a portion closely spaced from the periphery of said drum member. 3

5. In combination with guide lileans adapted to receive in stacked relation a plurality of sheets on which a feeding operation is to be performed, said guidemeans being adapted to receive such stacked plurality of sheets in such relation that aterminal sheet of such stacked plurality is exposed over a portion of its area, a pneumatic feeding device which comprises: frame means; a cylindrical drum member mounted for rotation 'onsaid frame means, said drum member being provided with a peripheral portionposition'ed' in contact with such terminal sheet at such exposed area; an axially reciprocablepiston member slidably mounted within said drum member and defining therewith a suction chamber; cooperating cam means on said piston member'and said frame means to eifect inward axial movement of said piston member upon rotation of said drum member in one direction to effect a decrease in the volume of said suction chamber; biasing means resilientlyopposing such in- IWEtlfd movement of said piston member and adapted to'eifect outward movement of said piston member upon completion of such inward movement to produce a suction stroke upon further rotation of said drum member in said one 5 directicn; and means defining a fluid passage communicating with said suction chamber and extending through said peripheral portion of said drum member, the position of said fluid passage being angularly so related to said cooperating cam means as to be located at least closely adjacent the point of contact between said drum member and the exposed area of said terminal sheet when said suction stroke is initiated.

6.:The construction set forth in claim 5, and comprising in addition an abutment member secured to said frame means and positioned to engage the sheets of such stacked plurality at one end thereof, said abutment member being spaced from said point of contact forwardly in the direction of rotation of said drum member and having a portion closely spaced from the periphery of such drum member.

7. A pneumatic feeding device which com prises: frame means; a cylindrical drum member mountedon said frame means for rotation about a horizontally extending axis; an axially reciprocable piston member constrained to rotate with and slidably mounted within said drum member and defining therewith a suction chamber; means defining a fluid passage opening through the periphery of said drum member and establishing fluid communication with said suction chamber; means for effecting axial reciprocation of said piston member to produce a suction stroke upon rotation of said drum member through a portion of a revolution thereof in one direction, said means including cooperating cam means on said piston member and said frame means and spring means biasing said piston member outwardly to maintain said cooperating cam means in operative engagement, the position of said fluid passage being angularly so related to said cooperating cam means as to be located at least closely adjacent a position generally vertically above said axis when said suction stroke is initiated; and guide means adapted to receive in stacked relation a plurality of sheets on which a feeding operation is to be performed, with such plurality of sheets being alined longitudinally in the direction of movement of the upper periphery of said drum member and with the lower surface of the lowermost sheet in said stack in close proximity to theperiphery of said drum member at said position generally vertically above said axis.

8. The construction set forth .in claim comprising in addition an abutment member secured to said frame means in position to engage the forward ends of said stacked sheets,

said abutment member being located in a forwardly spaced relation to the point of contact of said drum member with said lowermost sheet.

9. A pneumatic feeding device which comprises: frame means; a cylindrical drum member mounted on said frame means for rotation; an axially reciprocable piston member constrained to rotate with and slidably mounted within said drum member and defining therewith a suction chamber; means defining a fluid passage opening through the periphery of said drum member and establishing fluid communication to said suction chamber; means for effecting axial reciprocation of said piston member to produce a friction stroke upon rotation of said drum member through a portion of a revolution thereof in one direction, said means including cooperating cam means on said piston member and said frame means and spring means biasing said piston member outwardly to maintain said cooperating cam means .in oper- "7 and l ative; engagement; guide means adapted to receive in stacked relation a plurality of sheets on which a feeding operation is to be performed, with such plurality of sheets being alined longitudinally in the direction of rotation of said drum member in such relation that a terminal sheet of such stacked plurality is exposed over a portion of its area and located in close proximity to the periphery of said drum member at such exposed area, the angular relation of said cam means with respect to each other and with respect to the peripheral opening of said fluid passage being such as to cause such peripheral opening to be located at least closely adjacent said exposed portion of said terminal sheet when such suction stroke is initiated. r

10.'A pneumatic feeding device which comprises: frame means; a cylindrical drum member mounted on said frame means forrro'tation' about its axis; an axially reciprocable piston member constrained to rotate with and slidably mounted within said drum member and defining therewith a suction chamber; means defining a fluid passage communicating; with said suction chamber and opening through the periphery of said drum member at one circumferential position; means for effecting axial reciprocation of said piston member to produce a suction stroke upon rotation of said drum member through a portion of a revolution thereof in one direction, said means including cooperating cam means on said piston memberand said frame means; guide means adapted to receive a plurality of sheetsrin stacked alinement and support the same in such relation to said drum member that a terminal sneet of such stacked plurality is caused to extend in a generally tangential relation to the periphery of such drum member and in close proximity thereto at the position of substantial tangency; and abutment means mounted in fixed relation to said frame means and positioned to engage the ends of such sheets in such stacked alinment at a position forwardly spaced from such position of substantial tangency in the direction of movement of said drum member at said position of substantial tangency, said abutment member having a portion closely spaced from the periphery of said drum member, and the angular relation of said cam means with respect to each other and With respect to said peripheral opening being such as to cause said peripheral opening to be located at least closely adjacent said position of substantial tangency when said suction stroke is initiated.

' 11. In a sheet feeding device, a suction feeding member which comprises: a cylindrical drum member mounted for rotation about its axis, and an axially reciprocable piston member constrained to rotate with and vslidably mounted within said' drum member and definingtherewith a suction chamber, said drum member being provided with a suction port in the side wall thereof providing fluid'communication between said-suction chamber and the exterior of said drum member at the periphery thereof.

12. A pneumatic feeding device which comprises: frame means; guide means mounted on said frame means and adapted to, receive, in stacked relation,'a plurality of sheets onwhich a feeding operation is to be performed, said guide means including an abutment member positioned to engage the sheets of said stacked plurality at one end thereof, and being further adapted'to receive said stacked plurality'of sheets in such relation that a terminal sheet thereof is exposed over a portion of its area at said one end; a cylindrical feeding member mounted for rotation on said frame means and having its periphery disposed in close proximity to said terminal sheet at said exposed area thereof at one position with respect thereto, a portion of the periphery of said feeding member defining a suction portion movable through said one position upon rotation of said member; means for rotating said member; and means for producing a suction at said suction portion as the same is passed through said one position, whereby said terminal sheet is caused to move toward and into engagement with the periphery of said cylindrical feeding member for forward movement therewith upon rotation thereof, said cylindrical feeding member being provided with a circumferentially extending recess in its periphery, and said abutment member extending transverse to the direction of movement of the periphery of said cylindrical feeding member at said one position, and having a portion closely spaced from such periphery at the position of said recess, and being spaced forwardly of said one position in said direction of movement.

13. A pneumatic feeding device for feeding sheets to a perforating member, which comprises: frame means; guide means mounted on said frame means and adapted to receive, in stacked relation, a plurality of sheets on which a feeding operation is to be performed, said guide means including an abutment member positioned to engage the sheets of said stacked plurality at one end thereof, and being further adapted to receive said stacked plurality of sheets in such relation that a terminal sheet thereof is exposed over a portion of its area at said one end; a cylindrical feeding member mounted for rotation on said frame means and having its periphery disposed in close proximity to said terminal sheet at said exposed area thereof at one position with respect thereto, a portion of the periphery of said feeding member defining a suction portion movable through said one position upon rotation of said member; means for rotating said member; means for producing a suction at said suction portion as the same is passed through said one position, whereby said terminal sheet is caused to mOVe toward and into engagement with the periphery of said cylindrical feeding member for forward movement therewith upon rotation thereof; and compression means disposed forwardly of said abutment member in position to cause frictional engagement of said terminal sheet against the periphery of said cylindrical feeding member upon movement of said sheet past said abutment member, to effect further forward movement of said sheet upon further rotation of said feeding member into position to be operated upon by such perforating member, the periphery of said cylindrical feeding member being relieved at the position of said compression means to cause a release of said frictional engagement of said sheet upon movement of said sheet into received position with respect to said perforating member, the circumferential length of the relieved portion of the periphery of said cylindrical feeding member being such as to cause such release to remainefi'ective during the operation of said perforating member and to re-establish said frictional engagement of said sheet following termination of the operation of said perforating member.

14. A sheet-feeder construction which comprises: frame means; guide means mounted on said frame means, said guide means being adapted to receive, in stacked relation, a plurality of sheets on which a perforating operation is to be conducted, and including an abutment member positioned to engage said sheets at one end thereof, said guide being further adapted to receive said stacked plurality in such manner as to expose a portion of the area of a terminal sheet thereof at said one end; a rotary feeding member adapted to frictionally engage such terminal sheet and carry the same forwardly to a position past said abutment member into received position within a perforating device disposed forwardly of said abutment member; means for interrupting the frictional engagement of said sheet by said rotary feeding member during a given portion of one revolution thereof to cause cessation of forward movement of said sheet; and operating means associated with said rotary feeding member which will cause operation of such perforating device during said portion of one revolution.

JOHN A. WALLER. 

